Obituaries
Underhill TH (b, 1968-1973) On 29.11.2015 Thomas Henry Underhill. At Radley he was an Exhibitioner, winner of the History Essay and the Debating Prize in 1973 and a House Prefect. He was Editor of Copyright and Treasurer of the Union. He went up to read History at Exeter University and rowed in their lst VIII in 1975 and 1976. He joined Peat Marwick Mitchell and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1980. He was a Director of Texas Instruments from 1993. Mendus HWB (h, 1971-1976) On 12.5.2016 Henry Wyndham Banner Mendus. He played for the lst Hockey and Cricket XIs from 1975 to 1976 and was Captain of the Hockey team in 1976. He was in the 2nd Rackets Pair in 1975 and the lst Football XI in 1976. He went up to Aberystwyth University and played in their Hockey and Cricket teams. He qualified as a Solicitor in 1984 becoming a Partner in Simms & Co., Oxford, before moving to Darbys in 2005 and White and Black in 2009. He was Clerk to the Oxford University Disciplinary Court. He served on the Radley War Memorial Committee from 1997. From the White & Black website: It is with great sadness that we report the untimely death of our colleague and friend, Henry Mendus. Henry was diagnosed with cancer late last year and, though he was supported by an incredible medical team, he passed away at home on 12 May 2016, surrounded by his family. Henry was born in 1958 and educated at Radley College before returning to his native Wales to study at Aberystwyth University. He qualified as a solicitor in 1984 and practised as such until his death, spending the majority of that time as a Partner and rising in the profession to such an extent that he was widely recognised as one of the finest practitioners of his generation. He acted as legal counsel to the Disciplinary Court of Oxford University, served as a school governor and was a gifted sportsman. He was passionate about sports, enthusiastically watching and playing cricket, football, rugby and golf. Above all though, Henry was a family man and his wife Kathryn, and children Susannah and Hugo, were the centre of his world. Henry joined White & Black in 2009 as partner in charge of dispute resolution, having previously worked 112
the old radleian 2016
Henry Mendus with the founding partners elsewhere. Henry was one of life’s great Gentlemen. He commanded the respect and affection of everyone who knew him and he will be terribly missed.
also had diabetes. From that flowed an infection in his leg which he refused to have treated. He died, looked after kindly, in Charing Cross Hospital.
Palmer SJ (f, 1978-1982) On 15.4.2016 Stephen John Palmer.
Watson ERP (e, 1982-1985) On 21.8.2016 Edward Richard Patrick Watson.
His brother, James, writes: He left Radley for Collingwood College at Durham University where he studied Geology. After Durham he joined Arthur Andersen in the City, where he had a highly successful career, becoming a partner, specialising in tax, at an early stage. He loved working at Andersen’s where there was an outstanding team ethic. When Andersen's merged into Deloitte he became a partner there, but sadly he developed mental health problems, forcing him to retire on health grounds. He was not able to work again. He made many friends at Radley, and did well academically and enjoyed his rowing, but the truth is it was not, on the whole, a happy time of his life. He was an enormously intelligent, generous and thoughtful man, always keen to help others and have a positive impact, whatever he did. He thought all treatments for mental health would harm him and unfortunately
The Address by George Freeman MP: Ed was born on 18th June 1967, at Trelisk Hospital in Cornwall, where his father Robin and mother Phil farmed – and hunted – at Mount Hawk Farm. It was here that he learnt his deep love of the countryside and country sports. After primary school he attended Truro Cathedral School, until its closure in 1982. But the classroom was never Ed’s favourite or natural habitat. Diagnosed with dyslexia, much less well understood or provided for in those days, he quickly learnt to find other ways to shine. His father Robin remembers his early love of shooting – and early talent. Armed with a rusty old Russian 12 bore with a barrel like a piece of old pipe, his grandfather gave him lessons with the legendary Cornish instructor Frank Mitchell. ‘That boy can shoot’ he reported. He sure could.